Philadelphia Eagles: Birds plan to interview Lovie Smith

The Eagles plan to interview Thursday with Lovie Smith, fired recently as head coach of the Chicago Bears after failing to lead them to the playoffs in five of the last six seasons.

The Smith interest is another sign the Eagles’ head coaching search is in a state of flux after they were stiffed by Oregon’s Chip Kelly and Penn State’s Bill O’Brien. Both coaches decided to stay put. In essence they leveraged their college programs for pay raises by getting together with NFL suitors.

Smith, 54, is a defensive guy through and through. The offense let him down annually despite his best efforts changing coordinators and quarterbacks, the latest the fragile Jay Cutler.

The Bears registered double-digit wins this past season yet missed the playoffs after a 7-1 start.

The Eagles interviewed Denver Broncos offensive coordinator for roughly three hours Sunday. Barring a lengthier follow-up interview the interest on both sides doesn’t appear to be significant.

Since the Bears also got together with McCoy, one of the last remaining hot coaching candidates, the Eagles might be gauging their counterparts’ interest. Certainly questions will be asked of Smith about his staff, some of which remain under contract to the Bears, including who he would want to bring along if he’s offered the Eagles’ job.

Smith also could be asked his interest in joining the Eagles as a defensive coordinator should he come up empty in his bid to remain a head coach.

Miller (5-9, 180) played in 17 games with the Oakland Raiders (2009-11) and St. Louis Rams (2011). The Southern Utah product Miller produced four receptions worth 48 yards and averaged 8.9 yards on 45 punt returns, including an 88-yard touchdown.

Sampson (6-2, 204) is a 2011 seventh-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals. The San Diego State product contributed three catches for 36 yards in 12 games as a rookie.